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A desvatch from the British Army mud and the lhel:hin‘ of the ?’fifi*: front in Erance says: The problems of Zuns, s0o that all the carrying of supâ€" | transport have been solved “‘i"F‘Qm ::d t:kh: :l:‘:o‘h:v:p :I,to t:hp::.' torily, and now attention is beinZ without cover of any kind. That is . largely Jevoted to ameliorating the why the British guns continue to iron hard condition of the British hurl shells back of the German lines troops in the Winter fields _ and ; in the fog and rain. Often the shells trench»=. lieavy sheepskin and leaâ€" or bombs from the British side throw | ther coats and jackets have been issuâ€" up fountains of water high in the i ed to the men, and warm and dry rest : air from the German trenchem There‘ billets provided for those in the supâ€" are no floor boards or other trench port reserve positions. Best of all,\comforts available for the Germans however, Tommy in the front line gets| owing to the unceasing fire of the five hot meals daily. There is breakâ€" British artillery. ' fast at 7, dinner at 12, tea at 5, and _ Thus far this Winter German prisâ€" | soup or stew at 9 and again at 2 oners say their troops in the west o‘clock in the morning. \have not been supplied with m:“! FIVE OT MEALS SERVED DAILY _ _ .. TO BRITISH DN FRONT LINES Enemy Hations Almost Wholly of Tinned Goodsâ€"German Diâ€" visions Forty Days in Trenches Without Relief. From reports received from Gerâ€" man prisoners and observations made during raids the British have discov-! ered that conditions on the German front are very different. Along most: of the new lines formed by the Batâ€" tle of the Sotmme the German frontI trenches are merely a broken stretch: of linkedâ€"up shellholes, with no deep dugouts and only a few improvised| hiding Ivles, where two or three men‘ can ta\> cover from the shrapnel. | British reports from the Somme, section say the German communica~; tion tremches are impassable from A despatch from London says :â€" Andrew Bonar Law, Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced in the House of Commons on Thursday afternoon that the daily average expenditure of Great Britain in the war had arisen to £5,â€" 710,000. _ He said the actual expendiâ€" ture had exceeded the estimate owing to the increase in munitions and addiâ€" tional louns to Great Britain‘s allies and to her Dominions. He said that no proposals for peace had yet been received by the British CGovernment from the Central Powers. He added that the Entente allies reâ€" quired adequate reparation for the past, and adequate security for the future. WAR COST $28,000,0 00 A DAY MUNITIONS AND LOANS INCREASE FEW ESCAPED The Chancellor of the Exchequer said: "Financially we cannot hope to go on indefinitely on the present scale, but we can go on long enough to make sure that l"~.| not be from financial iai o j »» causes ‘f we fail to secure victory. Germans Launch an Attack at Point of Front Nearest Paris. A despabch from Parts says: A Gerâ€" man attack on Lassigny, that part of the front nearost to Parts, was made Monday in great force, says La Libâ€" erto‘s correspondent with the French armics. It appears to have been conâ€" certed to ooincide with von Bethmannâ€" Hollweg‘s note, probably with a view to impressing the French by a local success. Actual Expenditure Has Exceeded Estimate, Bonar Law Statesâ€" Mentions Allied Peace Terms. "The French were not taken by surâ€" prise, and received the assaulting waves with a fire from their 3â€"inch guns and machine guns, tearing the ranks terribly. A barrier fire thrown to the roar of the Germans caught the supporting reserves." "The Germans brought together about 40,000 men from the best diâ€" vistons," adds the correspondent, "and concentrated corresponding quantities of artillery. ‘The attack was preceded by an intense bombardment lasting for hours. The Chancellor said the total amonut of votes of credit since the outbreak of "Tho (iermans reached the French trenches over a frontage of 300 yards, but an immediate counterâ€"attack enâ€" abled the Frouch to regain the trenchâ€" es Ouly a fow survivors of the atâ€" tacking columns escaped. . Most of them wore killed after stubborn resisâ€" "The (iermans renewed the assault an hour later without success. . The French hoavy artillery dispersed the reserves as they came up." first time as Food Controller in the House of Lords on Thursday, said the solution of the food question resolved itself into one of a system of rationâ€" ing. _ It was not enough to maintain the food supplies, but it was overâ€" whelmingly essential that they be disâ€" tributed fairly. The Food Controller said his first duty would be to ascertain the quantiâ€" ty of food stocks available and the atocks visible. â€" There were many unâ€" WERss. 1 "My remedy," said Baron Devonâ€" SLOCRLD VIGEIDMEY _ ®MMMEN C e ,.opu.buld.tryiutoâ€" m !.g....uu in excess of afi: BRITAIN‘S FOOD CONTROLLER LAYS DOWN HIS PROGRAMME Will Adjus; Supplies so That Everybody Will Have an Equal Chance of Getting a Fair Share. A despatch from London says :â€" wean Devonnort. speaking for the FRENCH FRE Thus far this Winter German prisâ€" | oners say their troops in the west \have not been supplied with any sheepskin, leather or fur coats. They have received only woollen vests, ‘body bands and mittens. Normally, prisoners say, they are supposed to be in the trenches not more than from 14 to 18 days, but some diviâ€" \ sions lately have remained there 40 days and over without relief. The raâ€" tions consist almost wholly of tinned meat, sausage, herring, sardines, rice, _ Mr. Law said that, assuming the \rate of expenditure was the same as at | present, the vote would carry them unâ€" til Feb. 24. The total for the financial | year would be £1,950,000,000, The budâ€" | get estimate of the financial year was | exceeded by £350,000,000. Loans to alâ€" lied governments amounted to £409,â€" | 000 daily. _ Mr. Law said the Government bad | taken "such actions as it considered | necessary" regarding Capt. Blaikie, ‘who was taken prisoner by the crew | of a German submarine. rye bread, coffee and mineral waters. | Recently a daily ration of brandy has | been issued to the men in the front line. For rest the men often arg| crowded into damp cellars. l "In moving the last vote of credit Mr. Asquith used the words: ‘They (the allies) require that there shal! be adequate security for the future.‘ That is still the policy and still the deterâ€" mination of his Majesty‘s Governâ€" ment." the war was £3,852,000,000, including £32.000,000 for extra administration expenses. mm Referring to the peace proposals of the Central Powers, Mr. Bonar Law said : FRANCE TO DISCARD ALCOHOLIC DRINKS sumption. A despatch from Paris says: Total prohibition throughout France of the consumption of such alcoholic beverâ€" ages as whiskies, brandiles and liqueurs has been decided on by the Government. This is shown by the text in the Journail Official on Thursâ€" day of Premier Briand‘s declaration on Wednesday before the Chamber of Deputies on the subject. _ The Pre mier said: Government in Favor of Total Suppression of Its Conâ€" "The Government will ask you to give it the faculty of solving by deâ€" crees all questions of interest in reâ€" gard to the national defences which the laws are too slow to regulate. A particularly grave question which can be regulated oaly in war time, on the solution of which involves the lMfe of the country and its salvation, is the total suppression of the consumption of alcobol." The Premier‘s remarks were greoetâ€" od with loud applause from many of the benches. Deputy Mayeras interâ€" jected: "In the army, also?" â€""Yes, in the entire country," said the Premier. The use of the term aloohol in this connection is understood in France not to include wines or beer. _ Aunt Selinaâ€"Dear! Dear! I‘m afriad it will go hard with her. She is such a frail, nervous creature. Nieceâ€"Katherine writes me that Mrs. Dasher has got the alimony. _ port, "will be to adjust the supplies coming into the country so that everyâ€" body will have an equal chance of getâ€" ting a fair shareâ€"no more and no less, On account of many people buying up supplies sugar cannot be got at all. A remedy must be found for that. Posâ€" sibly the only way will be by a system of rationing." f It was obvious, Baron Devonport added, that a general diminution in the consumption of staple food was necesâ€" sary . At present this diminution could only be brought about by volunâ€" tary abstinence, but if voluntary abâ€" stinence was not succesaful it would be necessary to make abstinence compulâ€" NEW FRENCH CHIEEF |Markets of the IS HALF ENGLISH]| _ | ==«== A despatch from Paris says: The new Cabinet arouses but moderate enthusiasm in the press. The papers point out that seven Ministers and two Underâ€"Secretaries belong to the preceding administration so that the change is not so radical as might be expected. At the same‘ time the apâ€" pearance of M. Claveille and Loucheur as technical experts is welcomed. The most popular features of the reorganization are the appointments of General Hubert Lyautey, as Minisâ€" ter of War, aand General Nivelle as successor to Joffre as commanderâ€"inâ€" chief of the western front. All the newspapers print photographs of Genâ€" eral Nivelle under the title of "One of the War‘s Revelations." Long bioâ€" graphies are also published recalling the general‘s brilliant stroke in reâ€" capturing Forts Douaumont and Vaux on the Verdun front. The papers also say that the fact that General Nivelle is half Englishâ€"his mother having belonged to a well known Kentish miliâ€" tary familyâ€"makes his appointment particularly acceptable across the Channel. belonged to a well known Rentuush mil=< 000. "° °000200 "550: cwins, 254 to 25%¢; tary familyâ€"makes his appointment | m‘,’,’,’:f;’;fi‘;‘gkc’.s”' twins, 254 to 25%¢; P 4 U particularly acceptable across the , _ Live poultryâ€"Chickens, 15 to 16c Channel ’ggw;l. ‘3‘8 to 16¢; dl‘n‘ckzil. 13 ltl‘) :Bcl;sturkeyn. n 7 n z I o 28¢; geese, Spring. o 15¢. Jules Cambon continues in his post!t Di‘eulu_;e(tl xir;)ulu‘-’yâ€"-kcnhllcslcensé 21 to ztc: - ‘fowl, o 19¢; ducks, to 20¢c; squabs, as General Secretary of the Foreighn DQF joren, 54 to $4.50; turkeys, 30 to 35¢; Office. | geese, Spring, 17 to 19¢. _ _ _ _ ; ; Work Being Done by Dominion Exâ€" perimental Farms System. The Department of Agricuiture of the Dominion Government is carryâ€" ing on Illustration work in crop proâ€" duction and cultural methods with farmers in the provinces of Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Farmers owing or operating land favorably situated for the carrying on of such work coâ€"operate with the Department. The farmer puts under the direction of an officer of the Dominion Experiâ€" mental Farms System, a part of his farm having a good wide frontage on a well travelled highway, each field having the same frontage along the same highway, so that thee rops and cultivation are unavoidably in evidence to the casual traveller and eastily inâ€" spected by the interested visitor. The Department, for the first year at least, furnishes the seed necessary to sow such of the fields as it is deâ€" cided to put under crop that year. In subsequent years the farmer saves enough of the best of the crop grown on these fields to do the necessary seeding. This, of course, provided the grain produced is satisfactory as to purity and germinative power. All cultural and harvesting operaâ€" tions in connection with these fields, i.e., the ploughing, harrowing, etc., of the fields and the sowing, harvestâ€" ing and threshing of the grain thereâ€" from are done by the farmer. All work indicated above is done in exact»> ly such ways and at exactly such times as directed by the Iilustration Station Division of the Dominion Exâ€" perimental Farms System. The farâ€" mer keeps a record of the amount of time taken to perform the different operations on each field and threshes the grain harvested separately so that it will be known how much is harvestâ€" ed from each field. The records just mentioned of the ° Duluth, Dec. 19. â€"Linseed to arrive, Py t Hirke ; | a 444 A work and crops "resulting, | together Wi, Hehithy {CSi, 209 woth with brief notes made each week, are ern, $1.73%; No. 2 Northern, $1.654 to duly entered on blank forms provided| $1â€"70i; December, $1.744 bid. for that purpose. _ The work of makâ€" Live Stock Markets. ing such notes and entering up the| ‘Toronto, Dec. 19. â€"Christmas steors, work done on each field does not entail| choice, $10 to $11.50; do., good, $9.50 to th hour‘s work each $10; do'., cows, choice, $8 to $8.50; more an . one 8 h | butchers‘ cattle, choice, $8.50 to $8.75; month. _ Each week the farmer mails| g?sfi%d 33010 308(;:&‘ 23» fl‘!zdzl;m-t :75§[9 to the Cfentralmil::dpen:ner!glfi‘;rm Otâ€" gutch'eros('; gu{'}‘s, 'ceh%ce. 'sg%zédto s7.15}i tawa a form out wi ull partiâ€"| do.. &0 ulls, $6.176 to $7; do., roug! buils, $4.75 to $5; butch cows, choi culnr: as tod.:!xe worl((l done, general ! $7 e‘fi, 3’7,52‘;' d‘(,,,"&,,gg' ;5{1â€",‘3’(:3‘",3‘-55;:,,2,?; weather conditions and crop progress| medium, $6 to $6.25; stockers, $5.26 to n $7; choico feeders, $6.50 to $7.25; canâ€" on the different fields. . The farmer|nors and cutters, $4.25 to $5.25; milkers, permits to be placed in front of each lcT:\o]lce. n;m(’h“%fl: tt‘»ssuo; ido.. con‘:.sour:d : & ed., e . 0 ; Spr h field a sign stating briefly the method $190; m;y-,t. 2 wes, $4.90 to $10.00.‘ Shoep, of preparing the land for the cr°p|f“f,“},‘;‘; c‘i'o'gs u')o 8;2-12355;0&»1‘1;’,;% xo?‘d‘to a « + v + i 8, C s growing thereon, or the treatment givâ€"| §12 to $12.75; do., medium, $9.60 to $9.90; en the plot that year. (rimgs. r’e:h a(x‘m_ r»rvut..-l;ed.s 13211.75 to $11.85; On all these farms, whether located | £%y,"$f§/°" °* **** to §12.10; do., On all these farms, whether located in the Province of Quebec, or in Sasâ€" katchewan or Alberta, systematic rotations of crops suitable to the disâ€" trict served as well as the best culâ€" tural methods and most suitable varâ€" ieties of crops are being demonstratâ€" Germany Fears Result of Next Ofâ€" fensive on All Fronts. A despatch from Springfield, Mass., says: Frederick Palmer, the war corâ€" respondent, in an interview on Wedâ€" nesday, declared that events on the Somme front were responsible for the German peace move, and said that the British and French soldiers in the trenches would dictate terms. Mr. Palmer says the Kaiser has reason to dread the next allied offensive on all fronts. soOMME FORCED KAISER TO MAKE PEACE MOVE. SPAIN PROHIBITS SUBJECTS FROM FEEDING FOE SUBS. A despatch from Madrid says: Aleâ€" jandro Lerroux, leader of the Radical party in the Chamber of Deputies, has introduced a bill prohibiting Spanish subjects and vessels from provisioning German submarines in any way. HORSE MEAT AND LIVER 39 CENTS A POUND. A despatch from Berlin says: Owing to the steady advance in the price of horse meat a maximum price of 30 cents a pound for the best cuts, lver and sausage, has been fixed by the auâ€" thorities. India‘s rice crop of this year is estimated at 76,792,000 acres, slightâ€" ly in excess of the acreage of the year before. The total yield is exâ€" pected to be 21 per cent. greater than last year. i. Joffre‘s Successor Related Through Mother to British Military Family. ILLUSTRATION STATIONS. Toronto, Dec. 19. â€" Manitoba wheatâ€" New No. 1 Northern, ;1.87!: No. 2, do., 1.84%; No. 3, do., $1.794; No. 4 wheat. 1.16., track, Bay ports. Old erop tradâ€" x“lc above new crop. anitoba catsâ€"â€"No. 2 C W., 62*0: No. 8, do., 59%¢c; extra No. 1 feed, 59%¢; No. 1 feed, 58¢, track, Bay ports. _ ET ay% a c.allaw naw â€" American corn, No. $ yeNOW, ! $1.024;, December ‘shipment subject embargo. 9 d ike en + nominal; No. 3, do., 59 to 6lc, nominai, according to freights outside. Ontario wheatâ€"New No. 2 Winter, per OUEECERT T TCME ATER T CC 12 CA Y car lot, $1.63 to $1.65; No. 3, do., $1.61 to $1.63, nocordlng to freights outside. Peasâ€"No. . 2 $2.30, according to freights outside. Barley â€" Malting, $1.18 to $1.20, acâ€" cording to freizhts outside. Buckwheatâ€"$1.25, nominal, according to freights oviside. Rva_No % $1.36 to $1.38, according m eCP t Ryeâ€"No. %, $1.36 to $1.38, according to freights outside. Manitoba flourâ€"First patents, in jute bags, $9.90; 2nd do., $9.40; strong bakâ€" ers‘, do., $9.20, Toronto. Ontario flour â€" Winter, according _ to sample, $7 to $7.10, in bags, track Toâ€" ronto, prompt shipment. _ _| o 75 PURUU, PHUIIPT RNTETITIC Mlllreedâ€"Car lots â€" Delivered Montâ€" real freights, bags included, bran. per ton, $33; shorts, do.. $37; middlings, white, per ton, $38 to $40; good feed flour, per bag, $2.70 to $2.80. Hayâ€"No. 1, per ton, $12.60 to $13.50; No. 2, do., $10 to $11.50, track Toronto. Strawâ€"Car lots, per ton, $9 to $9.50, track Toronto. s Country Produceâ€"Wholesale. Butterâ€"Fresh dairy, choice, 41 to 43¢; «‘::ea.mery prints, 45 to 48¢; solids, 44 to c. l‘L‘g[uâ€"No. 1 storage, 40.to 41c; storâ€" age selects, 42 to 43¢; newâ€"laid, in carâ€" tons, 60 to 65¢; out of cartons, 60c. _ _ geese, Sprlw. 17 to 13¢. Honeyâ€"White clover, 24â€"!b. tins, 13 to 13%c; 5â€"lb. tins, 13 to 18ic; 10â€"1b., 12% to 1%¢c; 60â€"lb., 12 to 12%c; buckwheat, 60â€"1b. tins, 9 to 94c. _ Comb honeyâ€"extra fine and heavy wel}sht, per doz., $3; select, $2.50 to $2.75; No. 2. $2.25 to $2.40. Mincemeat â€"Pails, 28 lb., 10 to 12¢; tubs, 65 1b., 9§ to 11¢. Potatoesâ€"Ontario, per bag, $2.15; British Coumbia Rose, g)er bag, $2 to $2.15; New Brunswick Delawaures, per ha& $2.25 to $2.30. ‘abbageâ€"Man., per ton, $50. Beans â€" Imported, _ handâ€"picked, _ per bush., $6; Canadian, handâ€"picked, per bush.. $6.50; Canadian primes, $5.50 to $6; Limas, per Ib, 10¢c. Smoked meatsâ€"Hams, medium, 24 to 25¢; do., heavy, 22 to 23¢; cooked, 33 to 85¢; rolls, 19 to 20¢; breakfast bacon, 25 to 27¢; backs, plain, 26 to 27¢; boneless, 28 to 29¢. . h 5 fdt Pickled or dry cured meats. 1 cent less than cured. â€" Cured meatsâ€"Long clear bacon, 18 to 18k4c per lb.; clear bellies, 18 to 18%c. Lardâ€"Pure lard, tierces, 204 to 20%¢; tubs, 207 to 21¢c; palls, 21 to 21i¢c; comâ€" pound, 164 to 166c. _ 5 5ky Montreal, Dec. 19.â€"Cornâ€"American No. 2 yellow, $1.15, Oatsâ€"Canadian Western, No. 2, 654¢c; No. 3, 63%¢; extra No. 1 feed, 63%c. Barley â€" Manitoba feed, $1; malting, $1.30 to $1.32. Flour â€"Manitoba Spring wheat patents, firsts, zO.GO: seconds, $9.10; strong | bakers‘, $.90; straight rollers, $8.60 to $8.90; do., bags, $4.10 to $4.25. Roiled oatsâ€" Bbis., 5’1.05; do., bags, 90 lbs., $3.40. Bran, $32. Shorts, 836B Middlings, $38 to $48. Mouilile, $43 to $48. Hayâ€"No. 2, per ton, car lots, $13. Cheeseâ€"Finest westerns, 26¢; finest easterns, 24¢. Butâ€" terâ€"Cholcest creamery, 43 to 43%c; meâ€" conds, 40%¢ to 41c. Eggsâ€"Fresh, 60¢; selected, 44c; No, 1 stock, 40¢c; No. 2 stock, 36¢c,. Potatoesâ€"Per bag, car lots, $1.175 to $2. _ Codking â€" oilsâ€"White, tierces, 16ic 100â€"lb. tins, 16%c; yeliow, &¢ below white Winnipeg, Dec. 19.â€"Cash quotations: No. 1 Northern, $1.18%; No. 2 Northern, 31.703', No. 3 Northern, $1.64%; No. 4. 1.48{; No. 5, $1.17i; No. 6, 8#4; feed, 80c. Ontsâ€"No. 2 C.W., 54¢c; No. 8 C.W., §lc; extra No. 1 feed, b1c. Barleyâ€"No. 8, 90c; No. 1, 85¢; feed, 78¢; rejected, 70¢c. Flaxâ€"No. 1 N.W.C., $2.53; No. 2 C.W., $2.50. United States Markets. Minneapolis, Dec. 19. â€" Wheat, May, $1.75%; July, $1.714. Cash wheat: No. 1 hard, $1.70i4 to $1.808%; No. 1 Northern, $1.72% to_ $1.70§%; No. _2 Northern, gl.GTi to $1.73§. _ Cornâ€"No. 3 yellow, 54 to 864. Oatsâ€"No. 3 white,. 47 to 474c. Flour, fancy patents, $9.25. Other grades unchanged. Bran, $26 to $27. Duluth, Dec. 19. â€"Linseed to arrive, $2.87; I>ecembel'. :2.79' May, _ $2.86. Wheat, No. 1 hard, $1.744; No. 1 Northâ€" ern, $1.73%; No. 2 Northern, $1.654 to $1.701; December, $1.744 bid. Toronto, Dec. 19. â€" Christmas steors, choice, $10 to $11.50; do., good, $9.50 to $10; do., cows, choice, $8 to $8.50; butchers‘ cattle, choice, $8.50 to $8.75; do., ,ood. $8 to $8.40; do., medium, $7.50 to $7.15; do.,. common, $6.%5 to §$7; butchers‘ bulls, choice, $7.25 to $7.75; do., good bulls, $6.175 to §7; do., rough bulls, $4.75 to $5; butchers‘ cows, choice, Montreal, Dec. 13. â€" Cholce steers, $7.15 to $8.50; good. $7 to $7.75; choice bulls, $6.50 to $7; l‘oo«l. $5.15 to $6.50; canners, $6.25 to $5.60; cows, choice, $6.25 to $7; good, $5.75 to $6.50; canâ€" ners, $4.25 to $4.50; millkâ€"fed calves, $9 to $11.50; grassâ€"fed, $5.25 to $6; ahees. $8.25 to $9; lambs, $11.75 to $12.56; ghglé_-oo selected hogs, $12.50; lights, 10.50. READY TO MAKE DASH FROM ROTTERDAM. A despatch to the Amsterdam Teleâ€"| graaf from Rotterdam says the Gerâ€"| man steamer Pylos, which has been| in Rotterdam Harbor since the outâ€" break of the war, was getting ready | to leave for Germany, when a search by the river police revealed the fact that she was stocked with great quanâ€"| tities of foodstuffs and other goods,‘ the export of which is forbidden. The correspondent adds that the vessel| will not leave Rotterdam for the preâ€"| sent. | TSR BV T Ontario oatsâ€"No. 2 white, 60 LEAVE BEING CUT DOWN FOR TROOPS IN FRANCE. A despatch from London says: All ranks are notified that owing to the necessity of reducing railway traffic in England leave will not be granted, except in very special cireumstances. Weekâ€"end leave is for home service men or those in munition works, and Christmas leave will be confined to five per cent. of any unit, and none between December 22â€"25. This will not interfere with the four days‘ leave invariably granted men proceeding to the front, nor with leave granted troops alrud&in the field. GERMAN PRINCE DIES ON RUSSIAN FRONT. ed in battle on November 29th, on the Russian front, according to the Overâ€" was 24 years old and a lieutenant in a Prussian cavairy regiment, ONTARIO ARCHIVES TORONTO A despatch from Berlin says: Provisionsâ€"Wholesale. Montreal Markets. Winnipeg Grain. No. 3 yellow, new, # white, 60 to 62¢, 59 to 61c, nominal, to t i Bunk of Montreal Annual Meeting Marked by Kef Berlin Paper Says Crop is 30,â€" ces to Part Played by Domini Mw‘% 000,000 Tons Short of For Country‘s Guzhnee. Campaign of Thrift _ Last Year. Strongly Urged. Bank‘s Record at Front. A despatch from Berlin says:â€"The food plans for the current food year have been badly wrecked by the almost complete failure of the potato crop, of which the figures are now ;vuihue.l According to The Tageblatt, only 21,â€" 000,000 tons were harvested this year, against 51,000,000 last year. Thili might have proved almost disastrous, particularly as the potato crop was not only quantitatively but also qualitaâ€" tively a failure, and as a result only oneâ€"third as many potatoes are availâ€" able for the current food year as durâ€" the one ended last June. _ New plans have been made by Count Batocki for pulling through until next summer. The potato ration after January 1 will be threeâ€"quarters of a pound per capita per diem, and potato flour will no longer be an ingredient of the legal be fully appreciated. In most cases this work is carried on by voluntary effort, and as the organization extends into almost every town and hamlet in \the Dominion but few deserving cases }can be‘ overlooked. In the Department of Insurance, for instance, the Montâ€" ‘real branch last month saved for twentyâ€"two families policies which would otherwise have lapsed and been lost to the beneficiaries. These poliâ€" cies represented insurance to the value of about $30,000, the annual premiums being over $800. In all this branch is Ilooking after insurance representing ’ not less than $60,000. In other words, ithrough carelessness or fancied inâ€" |ability to pay premiums, this amount of protection to soldiers‘ dependents lwould have been lost if the organizaâ€" tion had not financially assisted in ikecping the policies alive. In addiâ€" 'tion to what the organization is diâ€" 'rectly financing, the total amount of ‘insurance saved to dependents within ‘two years by the Committee‘s advice ‘and counsel is in excess of $200,000. war 'l;re‘a;i,*x:yé I;'eing used in place of the missing potatoes. Canadian Patrictic Fund Helps to Keep Many Policies Alive. The vast amount of work underâ€" taken by the Canadian Patriotic Fund for the relief and assistance of ®olâ€" diers‘ dependents will probably never The experiences of the committee in these matters is a revelation in huâ€" man nature. One woman preferred to buy a new skirt rather than renew a policy on the life of her husband, who‘ was battling in a Flander‘s trench. Another woman, whose husâ€" band is daily facing German bullets, would have allowed her policy to lapse rather than take the amount of the premiums out of the savings bank. Another instance worth recordâ€" ing is unfortunately typical. The woâ€" man had an idea that insurance was all right for the rich, but that in her straightened cireumstances she should not be expected to make any sacrifice to maintain her husband‘s insurance, in this case amounting to $1,000. After an hour‘s argument with her on behalf of herself and baby boy, she reluctantly consented to accept a loan of $50 from the Fund to cover the premium, this amount to be repaid in monthly instalments. The husband was subsequently killed in action, and the wife received the full face value of the policy. It was a grateful moâ€" ther who called a few days later and tearfully thanked the committee for their advice and assistance. Since this branch of the work was organized practically every woman inâ€" terviewed has acted on the commitâ€" tee‘s advice. In many cases the comâ€" mittee has had to act quickly and without consulting the woman, and here again there was little friction, matters being afterwards satisfactorâ€" ily explained to the dependents. CONTRACTS PLACED FOR EIGHT STEAMERS. In this connection it is gratifying to note that the insurance companies have generally dealt liberally and sympathetically with relief _ comâ€" mittees. Sixâ€"Hundredâ€"Foot Freighters To Be Built at Port Arthur. A despatch from Fort William says: Announcement is made by officials of the Western Drydock and Shipbuildâ€" ing Company that the concern has closed contracts for the construction of eight new steamers. Six of these will be oceanâ€"going and the other two will be 600â€"foot freighters for the Great Lakes. The capacity of the plant will be doubled. About six hunâ€" dred tons of steel has arrived, and work on two steamers will commence at once. The plant will employ beâ€" tween 1,000 and 1,500 men for the next three years. War Makes Heavy Inroads on the Peerage of Europe. A special cable to The New York World from London, says: The issue of Debrett‘s Peerage for 1917 states that the roll of honor from families usually noticed in that volume now numbers 1,450 persons who have been killed in action or have died of wounds. The list includes one member of the Royal family, fourteen Peers, tweptyâ€" one Baronets, nine Knights, nine memâ€" bers of Parliament, 290 Knights Bachelor, 114 sons of Peers, 110 sons of Baronets, and 150 sons of Knights. A despatch from London says: The total German casualties, excluding those in the naval and colonial serâ€" vices, reported in the German official lists for November, says a British ofâ€" ficlal statement issued on Wednesday, was 166,176 officers and men, making the total German losses in . killed, wounded and missing since the war GERMAN CASUALTIES broke out of 3,921,860. INSURING THE SOLDIERS. MANY NOTABLES KILLED. ALMOST 4,000,000 Bocialist Party Now in Open _ The Times says also that the Gerâ€" man Government has been discouragâ€" Hostility to the Hohenzollern ‘ed recently by the confirmation of reâ€" War Party. |ports that Britain was prepared for | 1917 to put into the field three times A despatch from London says :â€" as many guns and shells as Germany That Germany is threatened with civil has been able to command even in the war and that the great Socialist party | flysh days of 1914. CIVIL WAR NEAR FOE DESPERATE is no longer concealing its dissension to the Prussian war leaders, is the real explanation for the peace proposals, is the statement that is going the rounds of the press of London on Thursday. The Times says that particularly during the past month conditions in Berlin have assumed a dangerous asâ€" pect. The people, weary of the shortâ€" age of food at home and the distress of the men in the field, with the maâ€" terial costs of war piling mountainâ€" ECumdn'o po-n.;‘on p(l’r;’ theh "I.)‘o‘ uropean the cy the = minion uhoufi follow in order to be all the better prepared for post war conditionsâ€"the resolve of the counâ€" try to continue to give, in youth and money, full assistance to the {rut cause were among some of he outstanding features of the Ninetyâ€"Ninth Annual Meeting of the shareholders of the Bank of Montâ€" real, held at the head office. The importance of the announceâ€" ments made and their bearing on conditions that the Dominion would most likely have to meet seemed to impart a special significance to the meeting," and the shareholders were quick to give their heartiest lur- port to the n{xffguuonn fArmly offered by Sir neent â€" Meredith, Bart., President, and Sir Frederick Williamsâ€"Taylor, the General Manâ€" It was clearly shown that many of the conditions that prevailed in the country were purely of a temâ€" {:snry character, and what was ost important was to get ready for the‘ time when normal condiâ€" tions only might exist. e .o _ There was no misunderstanding the firmness of the suggestions, as In this connection it was pointed out that all efforts should be cenâ€" tred on the attainment of three obâ€" *oct-, viz., Eceonomy, Production and mmigration, but at the same time t note of confidence was struck as o the ability the country would show in dealing with any new probâ€" lems that might present themselves Bir Frederick made special menâ€" tion of the record of the staff of :ho Bank of Montreal overseas, sayâ€" ng: iAn for the Bank of Montreal Contingent with the colours, I have no â€" words _ suflliclently _ eloquent wherewith to fully express our pride in their achievements, our grief in their losses, 4% per cent. of our total male staff, or 67 per cent. of those of military age, have enlisted, 51 of our best have been killed and 107 are wounded, missing or prisonâ€" ere of war. Beveral of our men have been decorated by the King for conflrh:uous valour, and the whole contingent is iMustrious." A very cordial demonstration was flven by the shareholders when r. Yuile, on their behalf, asked to be allowed to especially compliment Sir Vincent Meredith on the great honor which had been conferred upon him during the course of the past year, in being created a barâ€" onet. Mr. Yulle pointed out that this was regarded by the shareâ€" holders not as an honour to Sir Vincent alone, but to the Bank as well, and the honor conferred was alike popular with the shareholders and the public generally. The vacancies on the Board of Directors were filled bi’ the election of Captain Herbert Moison of Montâ€" real, and Mr. Harold Kennedy of C{‘uebec. At the first meeting of the new Board of Directors Sir Vincent Meredith, Bart, was reâ€" elected President, and the Viceâ€" Presidency, which had been vacant for the past few years, was reâ€" established by the appointment of Sir Vincent Meredith, Bart., Preâ€" sident, in referring to the principal developments of the year and the plans that should be laid to cope with them, said in part; _0 0_ Mr C. B. Gordon, President of the Dominion Textile Co. d 5 "I hoped when I last had the pleasure of addressing you that beâ€" fore this Annual Meeting the end of the cruel and devastating war, which has convulsed Europe would be, if not reached, at least within measurable distance. In this exâ€" pectation we have been disappointed. No one can yet fix the day of Its termination. but I am sure I exâ€" press your feelings when I say we hold an unshaken confidence of the ‘illtl‘lm“ victory of Britain and her e8. " Canada, inspired lp:ma deepâ€" rooted loyalty to the Empire, has given and is still prepared to give freely her gallant youth and moneâ€" tary means to the great cause, upon the success of which her liberties and national existence so greatly depend. . e t l f "As the result of the phenomenal crop of a year ago, coupled with vast expenditures by the Allied «Governâ€" ments in this country, for munitions, and by our own Government for requirements in connection with the war, high wages are being paid for @ll classes of labor, and trade conâ€" ditions at the moment in Canada are buoyant in nearly all lines of business. ‘The few exceptions will, gonerdly speaking, be found in inâ€" ustries concerned with the producâ€" tion and sale of luxuries. Success of Domestic Loans. "In a little more than a year Canada has issued two Domestic Loans amounting to $200,000,000, and the Canadian Government has borrowed in New York $95.000,000. The success of our internal loans is a matter of pride and congratuâ€" lation. It is due largely to the spirit of loyalty of our people and a deâ€" termination to all within them to bring the war to an early and sucâ€" cessful conclusion. G "So far, a depletion of Bank deâ€" posits in consequence of these conâ€" tributions has not taken place; in fact, they show month by month a g.ntl{ylng increase. It must not forgotten, however, that these increases are only partially due to the savings of our people. They may be u:count;d for to a very conâ€" slderable extenf by the husbanding of resources by our Inrfe corporaâ€" tions, a prudent and wise precauâ€" tion in view of the uncertain condiâ€" tions which now prevail and will continue to exist during the conâ€" tinuance of the war. If You Want a Safe Investment Crown Life Assurance Co. Let us send you particulars of an investment that never depreciates and never defaults in dividends, the new Compound Investment Policy in the Crown Life. With a Crown Life "limited Payment Life ‘Po!‘tzy; * yt:: wiud & OEOWwi RaNR® â€" AARMRNMAN PP CCC COCT 30 qss P do not have to die to win. Your insurance is fully paid for during the years of your best earning power. Let us send you some new insurance facts. Agents Wanted in Unrepresented Distriets. ue i C hk 4990 : whom the country owes much for his wise and farâ€"seeing administra~ tion of our financial affairs, will d@oubtless keep in view these condiâ€" tions when msklx further calls on our resources, ich of necessity he must do from time to time. _ " And now, a# my remarks draw to a close, I am tempted, contrary to my usual practice and unreâ€" strained by the old adage * Never rruphwy unless you know,‘ to look nto the future. The thoughts of many men are turned towards the problems that will confront us after the war, Government Commissions are dealing with them; the press devotes much space to their disâ€" cussion; . international conferences have met, but our . first, obvlog x{‘m{'lmpeuu\'o duty is to WIN TH / AR. It seems probable that for some months to come, orders for muniâ€" tions and war supplies will conâ€" tinue to keep our industrial plants actively gmv_roy_od. C YÂ¥ ntet ? 9 "vod Th aa / reat o " Canada is bearing up magnifiâ€" cently under the strain of this worldâ€"wide war, and her sacrifices will be amply repaid by the engenâ€" dering of a spirit of selfâ€"reliance, and she will emerge a comparaâ€" tively little known countrK to take ber rightful position in the affairs of the nations. "‘The future, as I have said, is beset with new problems and is not entirely free from financial anxjeties, but by a young r«mle xm-nemn1 £rect national spirit, a territoria @mpire and unrivalled natural reâ€" sources the future can be looked forward to with hope and con®â€" dence." Prl _ * When that is done, new condi tions will unquestionably supervene | _"These views may not be acceptâ€" ‘mble to all, but they are common \ sense and based upon @rithmetical ‘facts. _ To be forewarned is to be | forearmed. * !_ "‘These are the main factors that {have influenced and will influence | the banking positionâ€"the moveâ€" ‘ment in deposits and loans and the ‘safety of both. Therefore. in my ‘opinion, the business of this Bank | should be conducted . with such | views plainly before us until the | situation clea«rs. |__ "These are two obvious means of illghtenlng Canada‘s coming burden, | viz., thrift and immigration The ; two are closely ailied, for only by practising . national and | personal economy or thrift can we reduce our high cost of lMvingâ€"that most effectâ€" ive barrier to immigration. Upon imâ€" migration we mainly depend for the | fuller development of our unsurâ€" | passed natural resources. F \ _ "The timely and eloquent ‘Call to Action‘ of our Minister of Trade ‘lnd Commerce commands attention. |I am not sure that it should not be preceded by a ‘Call to Reason,‘ in |\ order that the importance of the | problems of the situation be imâ€" | pressed upon those who are lHving in, let us say, the paradise of the | unwise. Bir _ Prederick â€" Willtamsâ€"Taylor, the General Manager, dwelt w‘ocl- ally with the main features the changes in the Bank‘s business during the course of the year, and the manner ip which Canada‘s adâ€" verse trade balance had disappearâ€" ed as though by magic. Sir Predâ€" erick said in part: R " The outstanding business feaâ€" ture in Canada is an industrial conâ€" dition more abnormal in character than ever before in the history of this Bank, or of this country. "The same statement applies in a gzeatvr or lesser degree to several lligerent and neutral countries, but in Canada economic conditions as well are in an unnatural state This is partly due to the war, also a result of suspended immigration and of a lengthy period of an exâ€" travagance of which we are now feeling the cumulative efect. c " Canada sold her record crop of last year at high prices, as in the years of the American Civil War, while this year we are disposing of a moderate crop at such steadily mounting prices that we again reap a golden harvest about equal in amount to that of 1915. The total value of last year‘s crop was $798,000,000. P S " Qur _ much | criticised _ adverse trade balance has disappeared as though by magic, and our exports are now vastly in excess of our imâ€" Pores, * .. 1 C . a o "‘The transient nature of our inâ€" creased exports alone is a simple index to a situation that comâ€" mands the attention of all thinking people. G _ "‘Thrift is overdue but can be started forthwith ; immigration must wait, but should follow in natural sequence. I have no words at my command with which to adeâ€" quately urge the necessity of an orgunized and an individual efort to promote thrift. _ _ ce "Sane optimism and selfâ€"confiâ€" dence are admirable national quallâ€" ties and should be the order of the day. ‘There is a point where optimâ€" ism loses its value and the danger of overâ€"confidence begins. That is the point for nations to avold." . the the ket ket. In this connection he said: "It is not out of place to menâ€" tion here that this Bank is among the important and appreciated lendâ€" ers of short money in the London high, and with no indications of any but a futile future struggle, are openâ€" ly rebellious, and that the Kaiser has for many days been watching for a reasonably turn of events which would act as a pretext for a plausible proâ€" position for peace. x market. and though it is not for us to take praise for this, yet the faot is not to be lost sight of when weighing Canada‘s assistance to the Empire in this war." "One nation may declare war, but it takes more than one to declare peace," is a slogan that is appearing in the press and is being quickly scizâ€" by the London public. "The Minister of Finance to Duty is never so disagreeable as when it is neglected . And some people actually believe that their troubles interest you . Even the stingy man will usually al low another to share his opinions . Sir Frederick drew attention to important position occupled by Bank now in the London mar NMote of Caution Sounded dra w ie Ne N d CC 58B it 40% 3 P t § U L Afiy PVR t tS 1i c is